GATINEAU – After a week of vitriol, legitimate consumer anger and utter political silliness, the CRTC today officially opened up a new review into wholesale broadband usage based billing
“The great concern expressed by Canadians over this issue is telling of how much the Internet has become an integral part of their lives,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, chairman of the CRTC, in a press release.
“Our approach is based on two fundamental principles: as a general rule, ordinary consumers served by Small ISPs should not have to fund the bandwidth used by the heaviest residential Internet consumers; and it is in the best interest of consumers that small ISPs, which offer competitive alternatives to the Large Distributors, should continue to do so,” he added.
“With these principles in mind, we will be reviewing our decisions with fresh eyes and look forward to hearing the views of Canadians.”
Following a series of decisions, the CRTC had given big ISPs (Bell, Telus, Rogers, Shaw, Videotron) permission to change their billing practices for the residential Internet services provided to wholesale customers (the independent ISPs).
Starting on March 1, 2011, the residential customers of Small ISPs would have been subject to additional charges for going over specific bandwidth caps. The CRTC has suspended the implementation of these decisions pending the outcome of the proceeding launched today. Comments are due April 29th.
The CRTC is seeking comments on:
• How best to implement the following principles with respect to Large Distributors’ wholesale services used by Small ISPs.
• Whether the CRTC should set a minimum threshold level for the sale of bandwidth by large distributors to the small ISPs and, if so, what should it be.
• Whether it is appropriate to hold an online consultation as part of its review.
• Whether it is appropriate to hold an oral public hearing as part of its review.
Interested parties may submit their comments by April 29, 2011, by filling out this online form.
For the full PN, click here.
